TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Maple Leaf Foods (TSX: MFI) today announced that Ms. Jean M. Fraser has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors, effective immediately.

"Ms. Fraser is a highly regarded expert in the area of corporate governance and brings significant diverse business experience to the Maple Leaf Board," said David Emerson, Chairman of Maple Leaf Foods. "I am delighted that she has made this commitment to Maple Leaf Foods and I know that she will make an outstanding contribution."

The appointment of Ms. Fraser is the result of a search process initiated by the Board in April, 2014, supporting an ongoing focus on board renewal.  She has been a partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Toronto since 1993, where she is a leading advisor in guiding boards and management of prominent public companies on business and corporate governance matters. Prior to 1993, Ms. Fraser was a partner at another leading Toronto law firm. 

Ms. Fraser is a former member of the Senior Securities Advisory Group to the Chairman of the Senior Ontario Securities Commission and of the Ontario Securities Commission Policy Advisory Committee.

Maple Leaf Foods is Canada's leading consumer packaged meats company, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The Company makes high-quality, great tasting, nutritious and innovative food products under leading brands including Maple Leaf®, Maple Leaf Prime®, Maple Leaf Natural Selections®, Schneiders®, Schneiders Country Naturals® and Mina™. The Company employs approximately 12,000 people in its operations across Canada and exports to more than 20 global markets including the U.S. and Asia.

SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.